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Press release

MillionPlus, the Association for Modern Universities, and Australia’s Regional Universities Network (RUN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on strategy and policy development in higher education, research, innovation, and regional development.

The member universities of both groups share a commitment to developing universities that contribute significantly to their regional communities, generate economic, social and cultural benefit and act as anchor institutions for the communities they serve.

Professor Dave Phoenix, Chair of MillionPlus and Vice-Chancellor of London South Bank University, said that the MOU will provide a framework for a shared understanding of key issues as both the UK and Australia undergo significant policy change in higher education.

Professor Phoenix said:

“With higher education reform legislation being considered by Parliament in Australia, and further reforms under discussion in the UK, the collaboration is timely for both groups.

“We will initially work together on: approaches to promote student success; the role of universities as anchor institutions for their regions in the context of regional development; international student policy; and leveraging RUN and MillionPlus member interests in Universities UK and Universities Australia discussions on future, collaborative arrangements.

Professor Greg Hill, Chair of RUN and Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of the Sunshine Coast, said that both groups wanted the co-operative relationship to be meaningful and of substantive benefit in a changing policy environment.

Professor Hill said:

“The member universities have related missions. We have similar student profiles, with a large proportion of first in family students. Both groups are focussed on employment outcomes, innovation and research with impact, and have a close connection with their local communities and regions.”

“We are very much looking forward to working together,” Professors Hill and Phoenix said.

ENDS

Notes to editors

MillionPlus is the Association for Modern Universities. More information can be found at www.millionplus.ac.uk